iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

I just laughed out loud at this and scared the life out of the cat, who was asleep on my feet. 😂

It's the Google product I think I'll find hardest to replace, for that reason.

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There's a joke here about there being a Starbucks every 100m. 😉 But yes, very annoying!

Thanks, that's good to know! Especially about the accuracy of shop locations. When I think about how I use Google Maps, "food in this area" is definitely high on the priorities!

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John Gandy @john.wsocial.eu · 16/09/2026

Which European alternative to Google Maps do people recommend? I'm looking for something reliable (in the UK) & straightforward with no logging. My research has me leaning towards HERE WeGo, but I'm interested in other people's experiences! #europeanalternatives #maps #privacy #degoogle

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Every fibre of my soul wants to somehow contact JD Vance & shout "FRANKENSTEIN WAS THE DOCTOR!". The #AI firms are Frankenstein. I also love his argument that if people ask for help to stop the monster, you should help them. The AI firms are asking for precisely this help, & Vance is saying "no".

theguardian.com

‘If you’re building Frankenstein, stop’: JD Vance dismisses calls for AI regulation

US vice-president’s comments come as former Anthropic researcher revisits recent claim AI could destroy humanity

Adam McKay @ghostpanther.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Reposted by John Gandy

Friendly reminder that Corps use news, social media & elected officials to push their agendas so they enter ur social circles and become “world view” and “culture.” Which is how most ppl don’t know this is coming: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

The incoming ‘super’ El Niño will create chaos around the world. And we are far from ready for it | Bill McGuire

One of the biggest upheavals in a millennium is on its way, strengthened by the climate crisis. We need leaders who make things better not worse, says climate professor Bill McGuire

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They want us to be quiet, but in the words of John Oliver -

I'm sick of watching the world burn & not having a plan. So I'm going to make the following - - a plan - myself a nuisance - noise - contributions to independent journalism And hopefully, as part of our global community, - a difference - a chance at better things for my kids & yours.

"What can I do?" Anything.

Second - transition away from big tech. Probably impossible, but worth the attempt. Third - I'll get involved. Donate to independent journalism. Write to my MP. Whatever I can do. @emorwee.bsky.social wrote '"What can I do? Anything.' And she's right. heated.world/p/what-can-i-do-anything

heated.world

The battle for a livable future is a battle against fossil fuels. Right now, it's all hands on deck.

I don't think "just keep your head down" is enough. "Keep calm and carry on" is just a slogan at this point. The seeds of my approach are three-fold - The first is to take steps toward self-sufficiency - solar & battery, transition away from using gas at home, growing food at home.

John Gandy @john.wsocial.eu · 12/09/2026

Between this, the rise of fascism & the apparent 10% chance that AI will "kill all humans" (per numerous former & current Anthropic researchers), it's increasingly hard to view our future (my kids' future) as anything other than survivalism. And it's so hard to know where to even start with that.

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D & F. I'm hoping D becomes E over time but I need to persuade a core portion of my friend group to move to W first! Which I'm working on.

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I've got very limited tech experience (but an enthusiasm to learn!), so I'll try to figure that out! I really appreciate the signpost thanks, & knowing what words to use/search for is incredibly helpful.

I'm with you, I think I need to balance 'least bad' with something I'm able to set up and run easily myself, with my zero hours of IT experience. Hopefully I'll find something I can run off a Gameboy. Or a kettle. And I agree that privacy is toast, but we can try to limit the damage I guess!

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I'm assuming you use Otter Browser? 😉

Mine's one of the ones that's built into a keyboard, felt like a good option for a newbie!

Thanks, I'll check it out!

I've actually just bought my first Pi! So that could be a great option, albeit I have a lot of learning to do (including my first steps into Linux). I've seen Frigate mentioned as a good option here. Any tips for a Pi novice appreciated!

Thanks! I was looking at Eufy but have concerns about their previous behaviour (unencrypted camera feeds & cloud uploads), & the fact they're an Anker subsidiary (meaning Chinese servers & data laws). It looks like even their local storage options connect to remote servers at some level.

Low-tech & DIY options are welcome & encouraged! As are systems for an enthusiastic novice in the world of #homelab & #selfhosting #dataprivacy #homesecurity

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John Gandy @john.wsocial.eu · 02/09/2026

A home security question for the #privacy minded - is there a video doorbell with local storage where your data is guaranteed to stay on-site? I need one for when I'm working outside in the office, but don't want to join the surveillance state by giving footage or access to a third party.

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Or anything by Otter Miller

John Gandy @john.wsocial.eu · 31/08/2026

I'll be putting that on my LinkedIn 😂😈

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John Gandy @john.wsocial.eu · 30/08/2026

I love this & agree. Though I think politics is about who we want these things for! I want it for myself vs I want it for everyone. I deserve it vs we deserve it. To get there we need to try to talk & listen directly, not through someone else's lens - I'm hopeful W is a good space for that!

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Whichever one you can persuade others to use! I use Signal & tried to persuade my core family & friends to switch from Messenger & WhatsApp, & succeeded with precisely 2 people. 🤦 So I still have to use the other apps. Maybe a better chance with Signal, being free.

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As a data protection manager who also drums in a doom metal band, it makes me absurdly happy to be follower 666 of @seriousprivacy.eu 😂

Screenshot of the follower count of @seriousprivacy.eu showing 666 followers

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It's a blessing and a curse. 😂

I assumed it was because W comes before X..

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It's a good thing I figured this out before it drives me crazy..

It is, well done! I was a bit worried being the extreme metal fan entering the game. 😂

Don't worry, I don't even know if it's a good clue! This is a legendary death metal band, with a lead singer famous for being amazing at claw machines and donating the prizes to children's hospitals in every city they play.

You have one word right, and it's a band who play fast and loud.

To be fair, Can Eye Zombie is a band I'd listen to. 😂 A clue, or the answer?

The second one is pretty niche, although they have sold more than 2 million albums and defined an entire subgenre of music. You wouldn't have seen them on Top Of The Pops, mind!

I've got two in my head, one of which I'll be surprised if anyone gets! 🎤👨🏾‍🔧👩🏻‍🔧 🥫🧿 🧟‍♂️

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Huey Lewis and the News! Took me a minute!

John Gandy @john.wsocial.eu · 21/08/2026

Some of the solutions to so many of our problems mean going 'backwards' instead of forwards. Many people think that AI will solve the #climatecrisis, but traditional knowledge & techniques provide space for ecosystems to heal.

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John Gandy @john.wsocial.eu · 21/08/2026

I'm talking more about fighting for fair laws, fair pay, fair conditions and systems that benefit everyone. Being aware of when money flows to a small number of wealthy people, to the detriment of the rest. I'm not advocating communism!

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😂 It's a genuinely good idea though!

Turn it 90°. A lot of money and words go into reinforcing "left vs right" to distract us from the fact that it's really "up vs down" - a class struggle. If people saw that, they'd understand that 99% of us could stand side by side if we just change our perspective.

That's an ingenious plan! Which my wife would NOT approve of. 😂 I don't think that she'd believe I was talking to lots of beautiful French people on a dating app because I was secretly using them to improve my French. And a language tutor is cheaper than divorce!

Good points, and thank you!

I think that's the way I need to go. Learning and practice at the same time!